MGM Grand

You are currently browsing articles tagged MGM Grand.

My 5 top memories and 4 things that are irreplaceable from Studio 54

January 31, 2012 in Client news | No comments

As Studio 54 comes to its last week of business at MGM Grand, I have become extremely nostalgic for the venue that gave me my start in nightlife PR. As I look back on the nearly three years I spent with the 54 team, I reflect on my five favorite memories and four things that will be irreplaceable by this iconic venue. 

Cincopa WordPress plugin

Thanks for the memories….
5. An obvious favorite has to be my first night working at the club. I was somewhat of a newbie still when I got pulled in to help with the Kirvin Doak nightlife accounts before Studio 54 was officially bestowed upon me as my new “baby”. My big debut took place at 54 Below – the 10 year anniversary – which was also my first red carpet. My inexperience showed as I ended up pinned in a corner, hiding behind Kid Rock’s giant fur vest so to not get in any photos.

4. Holly Madison’s first Holly-ween event was one of my favorite Halloween parties to date. Crazy costumes, a packed crowd, and Holly making a grand entrance from the ceiling on a swinging chair will always be etched in my mind.

3. When you’re on the job, stay alert and always keep your head up was a valuable lesson to learn when Vanilla Ice performed for his birthday. The rapper loves to spray the crowd with water, and as I tried to duck behind a group of tall clubgoers while escorting a photog, I looked up at the exact wrong moment and was decked in the face with a water bottle that must have gotten loose during the shower. Painful yet valuable lesson!

2. Vampire Diaries star Nina Dobrev’s 21st birthday stands out as not only do I love the series and the full cast attended the party, but this was my last night working on the account before I accepted a new position. I love, love, love this show, and the young cast hadn’t realized just yet how big they were about to make it.

1. Steve Tyler… my dear sweet boyfriend. One of the best memories of my career to date and probably always will be, I will never forget standing in the VIP sky box, watching him take the mic and break into “Walk This Way” before turning, smiling for the camera, kissing me on the cheek and walking out. That’s a story I will tell for the rest of my life.

Why 54 is irreplaceable in my heart…
4. The personal touches throughout the club were immeasurable. From the original photos of celebrities at the New York venue, everyone from Michael Jackson to Farrah Fawcett, up to the original 54 sign, and of course, the Man in the Moon with the cocaine spoon. The spoon, of course, was hidden way up in the rafters where you could only see it if you knew where to look. All of these pieces equaled a piece of pop culture history, a moment in time that made you feel like you were part of something bigger than just your average night out on the town.

3. The first venue to introduce aerialists, I could have watched these performers for hours. My first time to Studio 54 was actually when I was visiting over a college break and I remember being totally mesmerized by the talent in these girls. To this day, it is still one of my favorite parts of any Vegas nightclub.

2. Studio 54 was like my Las Vegas Cheers… It’s where I knew everyone’s name, and they knew me. And I know I wasn’t the only one that felt this way. It had such a different feel if you were a regular, like it was your own personal playground any given night of the weekend.

1. The memories I have at the club are irreplaceable. It has been the spot where I’ve developed some of my best friendships, some great career achievements, and even some memories that were so great I can’t remember them after all. When the doors close for the last time, a part of my life in Las Vegas will close with it. A part that can never be substituted by another.

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

End of an era; Studio 54 closes its doors Feb. 5

January 17, 2012 in Client news | No comments

It truly is the end of an era; the world’s most iconic nightlife brand, Studio 54, is closing its doors at MGM Grand on Sunday, Feb. 5 after 14 years on the Strip. This venue has seen it all. It opened in 1997 with Sir Elton John; yes, THE Elton John. And now after being home to some of Vegas’ most notable events and welcoming many of the world’s top celebrities, the nightclub that launched the nightlife trend that still reigns king in Las Vegas will host its last soiree Saturday, Feb. 4. 
 
After we announced the news of Studio 54’s closing, our inboxes flooded with people expressing their sadness to see the doors close. It seems everyone in Vegas has a memory involving Studio 54 and these memories serve as the greatest testament to this legendary megaclub. Norm Clarke published this story with LVRJ about how former manager Mike Milner received a surprise call from The Artist Formerly Known as Prince’s manager, which resulted in Prince partying at Studio 54 “like it was 1999” on New Year’s Eve 1999. These are the exact type of stories that bring a smile to my face every time I think about my past year-and-a-half doing press with Studio 54.
 
I arrived in Las Vegas a southern transplant; my idea of a night out included belting out Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin” with a cover band at the local dive bar. I came to Vegas eager to work, but skeptical that I would fit in with the “nightlife” scene. How quickly that changed; all of my preconceived notions about nightclubs went out the door. I adored every person I worked with at Studio 54 and MGM Grand; I enjoyed getting off my couch on a Friday night and heading back to work to hang out with photographers on the red carpet while we waited for the latest celebrity. I became personally invested in this nightclub and wanted everyone to know just how wonderful I thought it was. I’ve now been to my fair share of nightclubs in Vegas, and that allows me to say, without bias, Studio 54 truly is unlike any other Vegas has ever seen. This venue had the staying power to last FOURTEEN years on the Strip (I can’t stress that enough); it has had 14 Nightmare on 54th Streets, 14 New Year’s Eves and it has given countless people memories that will stay with them a lifetime.
 
So this February, I’ll look above at the familiar disco ball and “Man in the Moon” and raise my glass to Studio 54 and say thanks for an amazing run!
 
For more information on Studio 54’s closing party, visit www.mgmgrand.com/nightlife/studio-54.aspx.

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Halloween Madness Descends on Las Vegas

October 25, 2011 in Client news | No comments

More than any other holiday weekend in Vegas, there is a lot of build up around Halloween. What has partygoers filled with anticipation is that the weekend is not only about where you will be, it’s also about WHAT you will be!

The “where I will be” part is easy for Halloween in Vegas: the 14th Annual Nightmare on 54th Street at Studio 54 at MGM Grand. This will be my second year working the infamous weekend-long party at Studio 54, and I could not be more excited! The nightclub is outdoing itself once again with three nights of outrageous festivities, including DJ Loczi’s “Electric Scream” Friday, Oct. 28, Holly Madison’s 3rd Annual Hollyween with a special performance by Josh Strickland Saturday, Oct. 29 and the 45th Annual Beaux Arts Ball Halloween night, benefitting Golden Rainbow’s fight against HIV/AIDS. Aerialists, wall-walkers, the tempting “Snake Babe” and a show-stopping reenactment of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” are just a few of the spine-tingling attractions throughout the weekend at Studio 54. 

Cincopa WordPress plugin

The “what I will be” part is not coming as easy this year. Last year, my co-worker and I were a “crime scene.” I was a cop and she was caution tape (creative, we know), and I’m wondering if I will be able to top that this Halloween. I have read that this year’s costume trends are based off current events and pop culture, such as Charlie Sheen, Angry Birds, Steve Jobs (too soon), vampires, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga.  I would like to consider myself a little more original than those options, but I’m not sure how I’m going to compete with the costumes I’ve heard around the office. My KDC colleagues are going far and wide this year with Kate Middleton, Cookie Monster, Teen Mom, Spicy and Hot Taco Bell sauce and the precious metal silver. I’m sure I will figure something out before KDC’s secret celebrity guest judges our annual Halloween costume contest, but in the meantime, I’m currently taking suggestions via twitter: @maggie_holmes.

 

Cincopa WordPress plugin

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Why It’s Important to Know Your Client.

July 26, 2011 in Client news | No comments

Do you know where the last coin-operated slot machine is on the Strip? I bet you don’t, and a month ago, neither did I. (It’s the Blazing 7’s at Circus Circus)

When I first came to Las Vegas and joined KDC’s MGM Resorts team, I spent as much time as I could going over document after document, trying to familiarize myself with the ten casino/hotel properties that I now represent. And let’s be realistic here. It’s hard to memorize 50+ room products, another 50+ spa products, plus another 30+ attractions all in one week before I jumped on the pitching machine.

Fast forward. It’s been four months now, and I’m glad to say I know the hotels well enough that I can visualize different story angles. But, I still don’t know everything.

That became glaringly obvious to me when I was invited on guided tours at each of the properties. I was blown away at how much I didn’t know. MGM’s PR veterans compared room rates, showcased top amenities and shared their secrets of best places for journalists to experience Las Vegas, all without batting an eyelash.

Clearly, reading doesn’t mean knowing.

And now, after hours of hiking through hallways and restaurants, learning insider tips and riding on two roller coasters, I’m slowly grasping the whole picture of each property.  Best of all, I’m pitching from my own first-hand experience in addition to the memorized facts.

It’s important to get to know your clients. Take an afternoon and go visit them, listen for insider tips, and see a different side of the product through their eyes. And it’s even better when one of them has a dolphin habitat.

Here are a few things that I learnt from these adventures:

1. The Roller Coaster at New York-New York is scary. Really scary.
2. The next time I want to go to a Mandalay Bay Beach concert, you’ll find me grabbing a bite at the outdoor terrace of Border Grill. Talk about sitting right on top of the stage!
3. Mandalay Bay suites have interesting mini-bar items such as the travel box (razor, slaving cream, comb etc.) and the…er… love box. I’ll let you figure that out yourself.
4. There are beer pong tables in Excalibur. ‘Nuff said.
5. And my favorite hidden gem: Circus Circus has gorgeous rooms and unbeatable room rates that are rarely advertised. Not to mention their resort passport includes two free drinks and two free rides at Adventuredome.
 

*MGM Resorts International properties in Las Vegas include CityCenter, Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York-New York, Luxor, Excalibur and Circus Circus.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,